IllinoisIllinois allows outside experts to help update clean energy grid plans
Illinois energy regulators may hire outside experts for clean energy grid planning without following usual state purchasing rules, while still substantially following purchasing ethics rules.
What it does
The Illinois Commerce Commission may hire experts to help update its clean energy grid plan outside usual state purchasing rules. State purchasing ethics rules still apply.
State energy planners must weigh grid projects' costs, benefits, and effects on customer bills before recommending them. The review includes technology upgrades and ways to use existing lines.
Utilities that own transmission lines and serve more than 200,000 Illinois customers may submit technology upgrade plans and studies showing where the grid has unused capacity.
Argument forOutside experts could help state planners compare grid projects and understand their long-term effects on customers' electricity bills.
Argument againstHiring grid planning experts outside usual state purchasing rules could reduce contract oversight, even though state purchasing ethics rules still apply.
More detail
The Illinois Commerce Commission may hire technical and policy experts to help update its clean energy grid plan. The purchasing exemption covers experts with relevant knowledge and experience who help the commission update its renewable energy access plan. The hiring process must substantially follow the state's purchasing ethics rules. The law took effect on July 31, 2026.
The Illinois Commerce Commission must assess grid projects and recommend projects that support state clean energy goals. The review covers power lines, technology upgrades, alternatives, and unused grid capacity. It must examine project costs, benefits, and customer bill impacts over each project's life, including whether technology could address bottlenecks from the prior two years. Only evaluated projects may appear on the recommended list. Approval requires evidence that the plan meets its required standards and supports state clean energy goals. The plan does not alter utilities' existing rights under rates, regulatory orders, or state law. The planning schedule calls for investigations every other year starting in 2028.
Large utilities may prepare grid technology plans and studies of unused capacity. These options cover utilities that own transmission lines and serve more than 200,000 customers in Illinois. Technology plans must identify bottlenecks from the prior two years and explain whether technology could address them. Capacity studies must identify connection points with unused capacity and report the amount available. Utilities may submit these plans and studies for state review; the commission may request changes to technology plans and adjust their timelines.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 31Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0717Latest
- Jul 31Effective Date July 31, 2026
- Jul 31Governor J. B. Pritzker ApprovedBecame Law
- Jun 18Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 21Passed Both Houses
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 070-035-000Passed House
- May 20Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
- May 19Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 19Second Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 6Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short DebateMinor
- May 5Do Pass / Short Debate Energy & Environment Committee; 016-009-000
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 27Assigned to Energy & Environment CommitteeMinor
- Apr 14Referred to Rules Committee
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14First ReadingMinor
- Apr 14Chief House Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
- Apr 14Arrived in HouseMinor
- Apr 14Third Reading - Passed; 041-012-000Passed Senate
- Mar 24Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 25, 2026
- Mar 24Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 12Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 24, 2026Minor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass, Amendment 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12Do Pass as Amended Energy and Public Utilities; 013-000-000
- Mar 12Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 AdoptedMajor
- Mar 10Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Energy and Public Utilities
- Mar 6Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
- Mar 6Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill CunninghamMinor
- Feb 17Assigned to Energy and Public UtilitiesMinor
- Feb 3Referred to Assignments
- Feb 3First ReadingMinor
- Feb 3Filed with Secretary by Sen. Bill CunninghamIntroduced
Environment & EnergyGovernment & Ethics